copd or anxiety

[genous66]

I have COPD for 10 years with no symptoms. Now I am breathless.

My pulmologist says I have anxiety. I don't know. What do you think?

[albert1952]

Anxiety will cause shortness of breath. I am going through some of this myself at the moment.

[Hidden]

Hi

Are you feeling anxious in anyway?

You know your own body..apart from the fact that being breathless can make you anxious I mean..

[y_not in reply to Hidden]

I didn't think I was anxious until my son sat me down and talked to me ... ended up at the Psychotherapist. I realise now that whilst we can [usually] identify physical issues when it comes to mental wellness that can be so much harder to self-diagnose.

[Hidden in reply to y_not]

I understand...I am glad you find a helpful way.

Other people’s perceptions of ourselves can be so different than our own..but we know inside how feel, we have our own intuition then sometimes we just don’t listen..it is a choice for each to make. Today I am enough. Tomorrow is another day.

Fran xx

[y_not]

If a mechanic said the gear on the widget of our car was faulty and needed replacing then we'd tell him to replace it. So why would we not believe a specialist in the medical field?

I'd suggest that the question needs posign to your GP along with "so what are you {GP] going to do to help with this?"

Best wishes

[knitter]

I get into a vicious circle of anxiety/ breathlessness/ anxiety, but I was wondering why your breathlessness was triggered after 10 years with no symptoms?

Did you have a chest infection, has an issue caused you stress? A change in medication?

You can try the pursed lip breathing technique which helps some with breathlessness....breathe in gently through your nose and then out gently through your mouth with pursed lips for a longer time. Repeat a couple of times. Try and breathe gently through your nose with a relaxed chest at other times. Only a short term remedy though.

Has you pulmonologist suggested ways to help you? Medication, relaxation, meditation, talking therapy , for instance?

Have you had X-rays, or a ct scan,and respiratory test to rule out any physical change?

Best wishes.

[shadow4me]

Since my copd I have had constant anxiety to some degree I think it just goes with lung disease xx